The first expression we've seen of rain in a long time just arrived in April sprinkles, not wet enough to turn the dust to mud, just enough to keep me from sanding Robin's hull. When the sanding's done, it will be time to give her a whole new coat of paint.
I've all but concluded that she needs a new roller furling system. That's the device that, like a window shade, rolls the jib or genoa up around the forestay when you're not using it.
Our roller furling was installed in May, 1990, according the the owner's manual for it that came with the boat. That is a long life for anything that spends much of its time on salty water.
A small part of the system was bent when the mast was taken down in October. To replace that part, I'd have to disassemble the entire system. That's proven difficult due to the system's quirky design and to the fact that stainless steel screws have been seated in aluminum parts for 22 years, more than enough time for corrosion to form.
So I'm pricing new systems. It's a disheartening endeavor. But we're left to answer this question: Are we going to continue to sail Robin?
If we are, we have to find a way to afford her needs.
If not, we have to face a big loss in a market where buyers are boss.
The good news is we can put Bluebird out on her mooring some time in the next couple of weeks with very little cost, and then we can sail whenever the wind blows.